This children's series, a spin off from the hugely successful adult programme 'Crane' had the highest ratings of any children's programme at the time and probably since, with seven million households watching it. There were huge debates as to whether it should become an adult show, it was so popular. The character Orlando was never a "lighthouse keeper" but a private investigator. Sam Kydd's connections as a top well loved actor of the period meant that the standard of cast was far superior to other kids' TV. Ronnie Stevens, Penelope Keith, Clive Dunn, Michael Gough and many others were all happy to be involved, especially as the scripts were so excellent, written by adult script writers like David Yallop, Dennis Butler and Paddy Manning O'Brine.
